Hero nurse, 38, fighting for her life after treating coronavirus patients ‘without PPE’
NHS hero Becky Usher, 38, is in intensive care where she is in an induced coma and relying on a ventilator to breathe.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Becky tested positive for the deadly coronavirus after not being provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) while treating a patient at Dewsbury and District Hospital.
Staff reportedly did not know the patient had coronavirus as the nurse treated them unprotected for two days.
She developed a high temperature and a sore throat on Sunday, April 5.
The NHS nurse then suffered breathing difficulties at her home in Heckmondwicke, West Yorks, on Tuesday, April 7.
Her concerned partner Martin Parker called 111 as she began to slur her words, and paramedics rushed her to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
Becky's family have said they are "heartbroken" as they are unable to join her in hospital - fearing they may never see her again.
She is described as in a critical but stable condition.
Her sister Kelly called her a "fighter" who "risked her health for others" in the battle against coronavirus.
She said Becky did not have PPE at the time - but believes it has now been delivered to all staff.
It comes as health secretary Matt Hancock hailed 19 NHS heroes who have died fighting the pandemic.
Kelly, 42, told the : "The hardest part is not being able to see her and not being able to see my parents, thinking we may not ever see her again.
";Becky is bubbly, outgoing and has a heart of gold. She is also very stubborn and a fighter.
"She is extremely popular and has so many friends wishing her well.
"She will be overwhelmed with the positivity and support she's received
"Becky has basically risked her own health for others."
Kelly went on: "I think they don’t have enough PPE. She was told they didn’t need any as there were no patients with coronavirus.
"I believe they do have it now, but obviously a few days too late."
The government has come under fire for not doing enough to provide NHS workers with life-saving PPE.
Britain's death toll today neared 10,000 - with almost 80,000 infections as the country remains in lockdown.
Kelly praised her sister's fellow NHS heroes who have been on the frontline against the virus.
She said: "For the other NHS angels and key workers supporting everyone through this worrying and difficult time, we can't thank you enough for the risk you are taking to save other's lives.
"Just know how much everyone truly appreciates the sacrifice you are making each day.
"The staff in ICU are doing a great job and we are grateful for the support Becky is getting."
'KEEP FIGHTING'
Becky has underlying health conditions, including Long QT syndrome, a hereditary heart condition which left her fighting for her life in 2004.
Kelly added: "It just seems such an injustice for her to have fought so hard in 2004 and have a second chance, just to be fighting again now with none of us by her side."
She has posted her sister a handmade card urging her to keep fighting - just like she did 16 years ago.
She said: "We know you can beat this and you have so many people waiting for you to get better and make more memories with."
Becky's partner Mr Parker, 40, said: "She told me off when the paramedics arrived.
"Said she was fine, but I knew she wasn't.
"The paramedic said 'tell him off when you get home, but you're going to hospital'.
"I miss her and I love her."
Health secretary Mr Hancock hailed the work of the NHS while speaking on Sky News as the death toll among staff lifted to 19.
The tragic roll-call included matron Sara Trollope, 51, who had worked in the NHS for 33 years and was months from retirement.
She was pictured with Boris Johnson in April last year when the PM visited her hospital in Hillingdon, West London.
Other deaths announced last night included: Gareth Roberts, 63, a nurse for the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; sister Leilani Dayrit, 47, of St Cross Hospital in Rugby; and Julie Omar, 52, a sister at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital.
On Friday Amor Gatinao, 50, a nurse at St Charles Hospital in Kensington, West London, was revealed as another victim.
Two porters last night became the latest NHS workers to die of coronavirus.
The unnamed staff members – both men – worked at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and were married to women from the nursing team.
They were described as “popular and hard-working members of our fantastic team”.
Meanwhile, business secretary Alok Sharma said: "It is absolutely right that no medical professional should be placed in a position where they have to make that choice.
"That for me is self-evident. That is why we are making sure we get the equipment to the frontline."
Mr Sharma said on Sky News the demand for PPE was well beyond anything like what it would be outside of a pandemic and that there was a "unified effort" to deliver more supplies.
The Royal College of Nursing has piled more pressure on ministers after it urged members to refuse to treat patients as a "last resort" if adequate PPE was not provided.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.
Speaking last night, Mr Hancock said: "The fact that such a high proportion are from people that moved to this country to work for the NHS is really heart-rending.
“To see people who have literally given their lives for the NHS who were moved here to give that service and I think we should pay tribute to them.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday apologised to NHS workers over PPE at the Government’s daily press briefing, saying: “I am sorry if people feel there have been failings.
“It is inevitable that the demand and pressures on PPE and the demand for PPE are going to be exponential, they are going to be incredibly high.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
Britain is believed to be heading towards the peak of the outbreak, suffering its deadliest day on Friday with 980 deaths.
Meanwhile, an 11-year-old child became the UK's youngest victim of the outbreak as a further 917 died yesterday and 657 died today.
And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital after being treated in intensive care due to the coronavirus.